Robbie Williams Responds to Former Take That Manager’s Documentary Comments

Robbie Williams has responded to remarks made by Nigel Martin-Smith, his former manager for Take That, featured in a new BBC three-part documentary exploring the experiences of being in a boyband. Both individuals participated in “Boybands Forever,” with its initial two episodes broadcast on Saturday. Within a segment of the documentary, Martin-Smith, who managed Take That during the 1990s, asserts that Williams demonstrated a “smart and quite clever” approach by attributing his drug use to his involvement “in this band where he couldn’t have girlfriends or couldn’t go out.” However, Williams, who departed the group in 1995, disputed these claims, publishing an extensive statement on Instagram on Sunday. BBC News has sought a comment from Martin-Smith. During the documentary, Martin-Smith stated that Williams had portrayed him as “evil” and had held him responsible for certain aspects of his conduct, including his drug use. Addressing that particular point, Williams stated to his former manager: “Allow me to respond to your assertion. My drug taking was never your fault.” He continued: “My response to the warped world that surrounded me is solely my own. How I chose to self-medicate is and was something that I will be monitoring and dealing with for the whole of my life.” Williams added: “It’s part of my make-up and I would have had the same malady had I been a taxi driver.” Williams further mentioned his desire to remind Martin-Smith that he was merely 16 years old upon joining the band and 21 when he departed. He concluded this point by saying: “That was the last time I saw you. I hope I have more grace and understanding when and if any of my own four children at such a vulnerable age behave in the same manner.” Williams, who has subsequently established a successful solo career, also utilized his online post to discuss the broader pressures associated with being in a boyband. He stated: “Nearly all members of boybands it seems have at some point a mental breakdown.” Williams continued, addressing Martin-Smith: “Your young charge at this time in his life was experiencing his first. You didn’t excel in man management and it was here that, instead of a stern word and a pointed finger, an arm around the shoulder and a kind word would have been the best tact.” He further remarked: “If you are following the story closely, you can’t help but notice a pattern emerge. Boys join a boyband. The band becomes huge. Boys get sick. Some are fortunate through a series of self-examinations and help to overcome their experience. Some never quite manage to untangle the mess of the wreckage of the past. I’m not breaking anyone’s anonymity by sharing the side effects of boyband dysphoria that relate to just us lads.” He detailed the past difficulties faced by his bandmates, citing Gary Barlow’s struggles with an eating disorder and Mark Owen’s issues with alcohol abuse. Addressing his former manager once more, Williams expressed his “deep admiration” for Martin-Smith’s professional efforts and his capacity for significant risk-taking. However, he appended: “Nige, you continue to not come across as a relatable character and could do with a glow-up where redeemable features are concerned. Therefore you play into the narrative you don’t want for yourself.” He proceeded to encourage Martin-Smith to accept responsibility and to “admit your shortcomings.” The documentary, set to conclude this week, highlights some of the most prominent boybands that achieved chart success throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.